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Democracy Unplugged: Daily Summaries Delivered
by Podcast Party
Democracy Unplugged brings together thought leaders, activists and influencers to untangle the threads of democratic principles, dissect current challenges, and envision what our future could look like. Join the conversation as our panels delve into current affairs, political dynamics and social issues.
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The most recent episodes — sign up to get AI-powered summaries of each one.
- 5 days ago27 min
How will the local government election results affect you?
The votes have been cast, the results are coming in. But what do they actually mean for your everyday life? Beyond the political wins, losses and negotiations, the outcome of South Africa’s 2026 Local Government Elections could have implications for everything from the water that comes out of your tap, education and the future of your community. In this special episode, we gather experts from across different sectors to unpack what the election results could mean for the services we rely on, the opportunities available to us and the communities we live in. The Burning Platform
- 1 weeks ago40 min
Power behind closed doors - TJ Masilela on South African politics
What really happens behind the scenes in South African politics? And how much of what we see is politics as usual, and how much is political performance? Phumi Mashigo sits down with TJ Masilela, host of Palatable Politics, to unpack the inner workings of political parties, democracy and the responsibility that comes with political membership. TJ also tackles a difficult question: if the ANC is far from ideal, why does he believe there is no other alternative? This is a conversation that invites you to look beyond the performance and think more deeply about the politics that shapes our lives. Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by hosts, guests and panellists do not necessarily reflect those of Podcast Party. Podcast Party encourages open dialogue and diverse perspectives and does not endorse any political party, candidate or viewpoint. The Burning Platform
- 2 weeks ago1h 18m
Power, Promises & the People - Local Government Elections 2026
As South Africa heads towards the 2026 local government elections, Siya Sangweni brings political parties in Cape Town together for one last, important conversation before voters head to the polls. What are they promising voters, and what will those promises mean for your everyday life? Featuring Afrika Mayibuye Movement’s Apostle Musa Joshua Mohlala, Build One South Africa’s Kerryn Rehse, the African National Congress’s Khalid Sayed, and GOOD Party’s Brett Herron. Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by hosts, guests and panellists do not necessarily reflect those of Podcast Party. Podcast Party encourages open dialogue and diverse perspectives and does not endorse any political party, candidate or viewpoint. The Burning Platform
- 3 weeks ago42 min
How do the numbers impact your vote? Decoding the upcoming elections
What do the numbers tell us about Johannesburg’s local elections? Political and economic analyst Paul Berkowitz joins Phumi Mashigo to unpack the data behind the upcoming local elections. Together they explore what the numbers could mean for Johannesburg, and beyond, and whether they tell the full story of what voters can expect. With so many parties competing for power, what should voters be looking at beyond the party name on the ballot? Hear more about that in this conversation. Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by hosts, guests and panellists do not necessarily reflect those of Podcast Party. Podcast Party encourages open dialogue and diverse perspectives and does not endorse any political party, candidate or viewpoint. The Burning Platform
- Oct 8, 202618 min
Who Gets Your Vote? A look at politicians’ promises
How do you decide who gets your vote? With South Africa’s political landscape offering more choices than ever, understanding what political parties actually believe has never been more important. In this episode, Phumi brings together highlights from conversations with politicians across the political spectrum, exploring what their parties stand for, the kind of South Africa they want to build, and the ideas they believe should shape the country’s future. **Disclaimer:** The views and opinions expressed in this episode are those of the guests and speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of Podcast Party. Podcast Party does not endorse or take responsibility for the views expressed by individual guests. Podcast Party is an independent platform and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or aligned to any political party. The Burning Platform
- Oct 1, 202633 min
The Race to Run Johannesburg - Your City, Their Plan
Johannesburg needs a mayor. But what does each candidate believe is broken, what do they want the city to become, and who pays for their plans? In this episode, Phumi Mashigo puts different candidates’ answers side by side, exploring their visions for Johannesburg, the cost of fixing the city, the realities of coalition politics and who stands to benefit from the economic future they imagine. Because before you decide who gets your vote, you need to understand what they’re asking you to trust them with. The Burning Platform
- Sep 23, 202639 min
Heritage, identity and where to from here?
As South Africa marks Heritage Day, Phumi Mashigo is joined by Zulu Royal Historian and author Shalo Mbatha to ask: what kind of South Africa are we building for the next 30 years? From King Shaka and the formation of the Zulu nation to apartheid, identity, inequality and belonging, they explore what our history can teach us about our future - and what it will take to build a stronger shared South African identity The Burning Platform
- Sep 17, 20261h 8m
50 Days to Go: SA Politics Heats Up
With local government elections less than 50 days away, the political temperature is rising. Phumi Mashigo sits down with Justice Malala and Mondli Makhanya to unpack the ANC’s candidate-list chaos, the DA’s missed opportunities, MK’s rise in KwaZulu-Natal and whether the EFF has lost its political edge. Plus: Ramaphosa’s leadership in Africa, Trump and the US midterms, Europe’s shift to the right — and what all of it tells us about the changing face of political leadership. The Burning Platform
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About Democracy Unplugged
Democracy Unplugged brings together thought leaders, activists and influencers to untangle the threads of democratic principles, dissect current challenges, and envision what our future could look like. Join the conversation as our panels delve into current affairs, political dynamics and social issues.
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